President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr. Godwin Audu as the acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS).
Following his appointment, Audu vowed to ease the hurdles of exporting Nigeria’s agro-products.
Dr Audu took over the leadership of NAQS after the expiration of the tenure of the pioneer Comptroller General, Dr Vincent Isegbe, on December 12, 2023.
This is in accordance with the NAQS Establishment Act, which requires the authority to be handed over to the next most senior director in the agency to step in in an acting capacity.
Dr. Audu, who is the Deputy Comptroller General (DCG) of Quarantine, has since assumed the office and responsibilities as the acting Comptroller General of the agency.
Addressing journalists at the agency’s head office in Abuja, Dr Audu outlined key areas of focus for the agency.
According to him, “In alignment with the renewed hope agenda of the present administration and the strategic blueprint of the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, we shall do more in the delivery of our services and mandate.”
“In line with the Presidential Enabling Environment Council effort within the export environment in which the agency participates, NAQS is committed to enhancing the export environment by expediting inspection and certification services, streamlining application processes, and automating quarantine procedures.
“These efforts aim to significantly make life easier for agro-exporters and reduce the processing time for agricultural export documentation,” he said.
Dr Audu further stated that the agency will optimise operations at interstate control stations to minimise delays in the haulage of agro-commodities.
“Collaborative efforts with stakeholders will address and eliminate illegal operators causing bottlenecks on federal highways,” he said.
He highlighted the importance of maintaining discipline, order, and inclusiveness within the organisation; this commitment, according to him, will ensure the development of officers and the sustainability of equal opportunities for all personnel.
The new NAQS boss assured all stakeholders that the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service is dedicated to enhancing its service delivery, aligning its mandate with the Renewed Hope agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria.